One dog left to die in ditch - while bald Staffie dumped after giving birth

The RSPCA are investigating after two dogs were abandoned in Stoke-on-Trent.

Both took place days after CCTV showed a dog, named by the RSPCA as Snoop, being dumped from a car in the city while his owner drives away.

In one of the latest cases a Jack Russell terrier-type male dog, aged about two, was discovered in a ditch under a bridge on the A527 near the Chatterley Whitfield estate.

It is understood the poor dog died after being dumped in the ditch. He was severely emaciated and weighed just 3.6kg - which is less than half his expected body weight.

He is believed he spent his entire short life in a cage because his claws were round and long suggesting he had not been walked.

He also had sores over his body, his hair was matted as though it had never been brushed. He had had severe diarrhoea which was stuck to his coat and urine scald burns under his body.

The poor dog was found by a dog walker at 12.30pm on December 29 and was taken to Blue House Veterinary Centre in Biddulph where shocked staff said they believed he had probably died while in the ditch.

Then on Wednesday (Jan 2) an almost bald Staffordshire Bull Terrier was discovered wandering near the busy A50 Uttoexter Road, near Lysander Road, also in Stoke-on-Trent, at around 10.45am.

She was taken to the nearby Meir Park Veterinary Hospital and staff who examined her said she had given birth just one to two days ago - and their are now fears for the safety of her puppies as they will not survive without their mum’s milk.

Inspector Charlotte Melvin, who is investigating both cases, said: “The Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type dog was almost bald from a severe mite infection in her skin and judging by the size of her uterus we believe she has just had puppies in the last one or two days.

“Sadly without her milk her puppies will not survive and the poor things will have probably also caught her mite terrible skin infection, demodex mange, so we are very concerned about them.

“She is now being cared for by the RSPCA and staff have named her Peppa because she looks like Peppa Pig with her pink skin.

“Meanwhile the veterinary staff who examined the Jack Russell who was found in a ditch were shocked and upset by the terrible state he was in.

“They also believe he died very recently as rigormortis had not set in so it seems that he was left in the ditch to die.

“It is disgusting that it appears this poor pet had such a terrible start to life and it seems he was left to suffer from neglect for most of it.

“From the state of his claws it appears he has never been walked and was probably left in a cage all his life.

“Clearly he had not been fed properly, cleaned or had his hair brushed which left it severely matted and he was clearly left untreated when suffering from severe diarrhoea.

“For someone to leave their pet to suffer like this is beyond belief and then to callously dump him in a ditch during his hour of need is despicable.

“I am keen to trace the people responsible for both of these horrendous abandonments - which come just days after the high profile case of Snoop.

“I just don’t understand why people don’t seek help for their pets rather than throwing them away. Neither of these dogs were microchipped and I am hoping someone may recognise who they belonged to.

“The Jack Russell was very distinctive with a half black and half white face and the Staffy mum would also be recognisable due to her distinct lack of hair which we believe may have been black and white originally. Anyone who can help should contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.”